I happen to be all about getting brighter under eyes and I’m also a concealer junkie so I jumped right on board to snag the Mally Ultimate Performance Brightener & Hydrator when it debuted earlier this month!

Let’s take a look!

The concept behind Mally Ultimate Performance Brightener & Hydrator is a good one but the formula doesn’t quite live up to what it is supposed to do.

First off, this is only available in a light and deeper shade which means not everyone will use it. However, both shades have a very strong yellow base it’ll work on many skin tones but some tones might find the yellow doesn’t quite work well for them. I’ve seen people on youTube that contour under their eyes with Benefit and in some ways this is exactly what the Ultimate Performance Brightener & Hydrator does. It isn’t necessarily a full on concealer but it does brighten under eyes and gives more of a lifted look while diffusing darker circles (not really blue based ones though) by using yellow pigment.

Unfortunately, the formula is marketed as a drink of water for skin. This references the hydrating factor but I didn’t find it terribly hydrating. The good news would be that it isn’t drying either and has a thinner, creamy texture that blends well under my drier, finely lined eyes. They also call it “supreme coverage” but again that’s over marketing as this is sheer, brightening yes, but not really sheer! I wish I can use it as a concealer but I do need more coverage than this provides! So it does work best over concealer which I hate simply because concealer plus something else on top, well, it’s just a bit too much makeup!

I think Mally felt you might carry this with you for touch ups through the day but I rarely touch my concealer throughout the day so I don’t really carry it around with me. I mention this because it doesn’t have a longer wear! At first application my tired eyes do look quite bright but the effect only lasts for around four hours. I did see some minor creasing during that wear but nothing a tap from my finger couldn’t clear up!

I also should mention at the moment this is sold in a duo for $35. So you get two of the same shades for that price. I really don’t need two of anything even items and products I really love. I rather not be forced into a purchase of two anything. But unfortunately that’s how it is currently sold!

Mally Ultimate Performance Brightener & Hydrator sounds dreamy! Hydrating, supreme coverage, brightening…but unfortunately, it’s a one trick pony that brightens but doesn’t really hydrate or offer “supreme” coverage in the least. Those who contour might find this a helpful tool but anyone who doesn’t like layering (as it works best on top of concealer in my experience) might not love it. If you don’t have a ton of issues to conceal it might just make for a nice, lightweight concealer that brightens but unfortunately I have puffy, tired looking eyes that need more coverage!